Australia win thriller

OUR BUREAU &AMP; AGENCIES

Calcutta / Mumbai: Australia came up with some terrific bowling to stun defending champions England by two runs in their first Super Six match of the ICC Women’s World Cup, at the Brabourne Stadium, in Mumbai, on Friday.

The day began well for England when they had Australia reeling at 32 for five in the 12 th over. However, all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar came to Australia’s rescue.

The 33-year-old steadied the innings with a hard-fought 41, while others appeared sitting ducks before the bowling of Katherine Brunt and the in-form Anya Shrubsole.

Sarah Coyte once again also showed her mettle, chipping in with 44, as Australia eventually folded up for 147, their lowest score against England in a World Cup match.

In reply, England were swept aside by some spectacular bowling by 17-year-old Holly Ferling, who in her second ODI for Australia, claimed Danielle Wyatt, Lydia Greenway and Jenny Gunn to finish the game with figures of three for 35.

Megan Schutt began the innings on a high for Australia dismissing danger-women Charlotte Edwards for eight and Sarah Taylor for a duck.

In fact, English batswomen were dealt with a severe jolt as half their side was back in the hut in just over 10 overs, with a mere 39 runs on board.

England were left wobbling after Gunn’s departure, but Laura Marsh added key runs which set up Shrubsole and Holly Colvin in their last ditch attempt to save the game. The pair came had almost pulled it off for England, as they were just three runs shy of winning, off 18 balls.

But Erin Osborne spoiled England’s show. She tempted Colvin into edging a ball to the safe hands of the ‘keeper to seal the issue for Australia.